Discrimination Against Minority Religious Adherents in Madura: Belief Intervention, Worship Places Closure, and Political Rights Denial

Abstract

This study focuses on examining the existence of minority religious groups in Madura, along with the various forms of discrimination they experience. The minority groups in question are (former) Shia Muslims in Sampang and the Sunni Salafi Muslim group in Pamekasan, both of which have been recorded as having experienced discrimination from the local community, both culturally and structurally. Starting from the intervention of beliefs that led to the initiation of Shia Muslims into Sunni, the forced closure of places of worship, and the denial of their right to political participation in the 2023 General Election. This study is a field study conducted based on a qualitative approach. Two types and sources of data are used: primary and secondary. After analysing field data, this study found that the existence of minority Muslims in Madura has tended to experience discrimination. The discriminatory treatment includes the intervention of beliefs, such as forcing Shia Muslims to abandon their beliefs and convert to Sunni, closing down places of worship (mosques) of Sunni Salafi Muslims in Pamekasan, and finally, the pressure or mobilisation of the masses containing messages rejecting the use of political rights of (former) Shia Muslims to participate in the 2024 general election (Pemilu), both legislative and executive elections.